1

What do you actually do in a Bikram Yoga class?

Bikram’s Beginning Yoga Class is a 90-minute series of physical movements, consisting of 26 postures (asanas) and two breathing exercises (pranayamas), each performed twice.  In the Bikram Yoga class, the 26 postures are always performed in sequence, each posture made more effective by building on the ones before it.  The practice room is mirrored so you can check your form, and we move slowly and carefully into and out of each posture.

Bikram Yoga often referred to as “hot yoga,” because it is best practiced in a heated room. However, all “hot yoga” classes are NOT the same.  When you attend a Bikram Yoga class, always verify that your instructor has been certified to teach Bikram’s Beginning Yoga Class. This certification means your instructor has completed Bikram Choudhury’s own Teacher Training Program and is able to provide you with precise instruction and alignment corrections.

2

Why is the room heated?

The heat, in combination with the sequence of postures, is what makes Bikram Yoga so unique.  The room is heated to warm your muscles, allowing you to work more deeply in a shorter period of time – thus, you’ll see results more quickly.  Heat takes the trauma out of stretching while both healing and helping to prevent injuries.  Yoga is not just about stretching muscles, though – you are massaging your body’s organs, glands, and deep tissues as well.  As you work deeper into your body, you may start to release toxins (poisons) that have been stored there over time.  Since the skin is your body’s largest organ of elimination, sweating helps to flush out the toxins, giving you a wonderful glow from head to toe.

3

How often should I attend class?

For good results, we encourage a regular practice of three times per week; for life-changing results, four or more times per week.  Unlike weightlifting or other forms of exercise, it is not necessary to take a “resting” day from practicing yoga. 

Bikram Choudhury tells his new students, “Come to my yoga class every day for 60 days…and I will give you a new body, a new life!”  But if that’s not feasible, don’t give up.  Doing a little is better than doing nothing.  Even one class a week can make a real difference in the way you feel.  Consider your yoga practice to be internal hygiene, cleansing your body and mind from the inside out.  It’s simple: the more you practice, the more benefits you receive.

4

I'm not very flexible – how can I do yoga?

This is probably the MOST common concern folks have when starting a yoga practice, especially since yoga publications often show models in very advanced yoga postures.  Rest assured, you can be stiff as a board and still get tremendous benefit from practicing Bikram Yoga - and enjoy it, too!  Just do the best you can at each class, don't force any movement, and you'll definitely see your flexibility increase over time.

5

Are there any age limitations?

You can never be too old to start practicing yoga!  At Bikram Yoga Bloomington, our oldest client to date was 85 when she took her first class.  And we are proud that our studio community includes many regular students who are in their 60s and 70s.   

As for the younger end of the age scale, while for a regular yoga practice the 90-minute Bikram Yoga beginners' class is best suited to folks 16 and up, we do welcome drop-ins from 'tweens — ages 12-15 — who are accompanied by a parent or guardian.  And now, by popular demand, we are offering a special 'Tween drop-in rate of $10 per single class.  So if you're 12 to 15 and have always wanted to try Bikram Yoga, come on in!

6

If I have a physical condition, am taking prescription medicine, or have a disability, is it appropriate for me to practice Bikram Yoga?

The short answer is YES.  Yoga is an ancient system of human development, and Hatha Yoga is the aspect of this system that focuses on the physical body.  Bikram Yoga is a method of Hatha Yoga designed specifically to enable each of us to create optimal health regardless of size, shape, or physical challenges.

That said, if you are currently under professional care or are taking prescription medicine, by all means discuss your interest in beginning a yoga practice with your health provider.  If he or she has questions about Bikram Yoga, we recommend visiting the official Bikram Yoga website.  Also, feel free to contact us for more information if you wish.  In fact, quite a few of our students came to us initially because their doctors suggested it!  That’s because yoga is becoming more and more widely recognized as an effective, non-invasive method of healing and rehabilitation.

For those who have a physical disability but are otherwise in good health, just come to class!  We can help you modify postures as needed to get the most from your practice.  Our studio has easy wheelchair access and our facilities are fully ADA-compliant.

7

I’m pregnant.  Is it safe for me to practice Bikram Yoga?

It will depend on whether you have been practicing Bikram Yoga on a regular basis prior to your pregnancy.  If you are new to practicing yoga, we do NOT recommend beginning your Bikram Yoga (or any other “hot yoga”) practice while pregnant, particularly in the first trimester.

On the other hand, many a yogini who had a regular Bikram Yoga practice before becoming pregnant has continued to take class until shortly before her due date, modifying certain poses to accommodate a growing belly.  Here at Bikram Yoga Bloomington, we have had several ladies who’ve practiced with us throughout their pregnancies and delivered beautiful, healthy babies.

8

After my first class, I felt dizzy, nauseous, or very tired.  Is this normal?

It’s not unusual to feel nauseous or dizzy during or after your first class, though many never do.  With continued practice you’ll learn proper breathing technique, which will help a lot.  Practicing yoga, especially in a heated room, shows us our present state of health – and hopefully, inspires us to take better care of ourselves.

What if you experience disorientation or a headache after class?  It’s likely that your body has begun to cleanse itself as a result of the yoga postures and deep breathing exercises.  Don’t be scared – your body in its wisdom is using the practice to take care of itself.  Make sure you are well-hydrated; drink plenty of pure water before and after class.  These sensations will go away naturally after a few sessions. 

If you feel like you could use a nice nap after class, take one!  It’s a good thing.  Many of us hold chronic tension in our bodies, and yoga can bring about deep, overall relaxation.  Some confuse this relaxed feeling – because it’s so unfamiliar – with tiredness.  Over time, you’ll feel more energized both during and after your practice.

9

What if I feel sore after class?

Didn’t know you had a muscle there?  Congratulations!  You have stretched, strengthened, balanced, and toned 100% of your body.  You are on the way to regaining your body’s birthright: its full range of motion.  Keep in mind that muscle soreness is caused by a buildup of lactic acid, and the best way to get rid of lactic acid is…stretching!  So take class again as soon as you can.  It may seem impossible that coming back for more could help, but it is actually the best way to relieve any soreness you might feel.  Wait too long, and you’ll just need to start all over again.

10

The class was so challenging, I thought I’d be exhausted afterwards – but I felt very energized.  Why is that?

Bikram Choudhury, the man who created the Bikram Yoga series, says, “While any other physical exercise you do uses up your energy, like driving a car burns gas, Hatha Yoga is like a gas station. It fills up your tank.”  The Bikram Yoga series is especially invigorating because your body releases toxins through sweating and deep breathing.  In addition, the postures are scientifically sequenced so each pose builds on the previous ones and prepares you for those to follow.  So relax and enjoy the natural energy boost!

11

What are some of the benefits of practicing Bikram Yoga?

Practicing Bikram Yoga on a regular basis helps promote and maintain health and well-being, both physically and mentally.  Physically, Bikram Yoga us helps develop a perfect blend of strength, flexibility, and balance.  Many have found it can reduce the symptoms of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, migraine headaches, varicose veins, emphysema, and severe back pain. 

On the mental level, a regular Bikram Yoga practice promotes overall wellness and serenity.  Bikram Yoga students report many benefits, including heightened mental clarity, increased energy, and reduced stress.  Over time, practicing Bikram Yoga builds concentration, patience, faith in oneself, discipline, and determination.

12

Can practicing Bikram Yoga help me lose weight?

Maybe yes, maybe no.  But with persistence, patience, and dedication, you can lose inches and reshape your body. 

Most people do not experience dramatic weight loss according to the scale, because as you are losing fat, you are building muscle mass – and muscles weigh more than fat.  What you will see, however, is a general all-over slimming effect: your clothes will fit better, you’ll stand straighter, your skin will glow.  Yoga helps you create the body you were meant to have.

13

Does practicing Bikram Yoga provide benefits similar to a cardiovascular or aerobic workout?

No matter what your fitness level, you will find Bikram Yoga very challenging.  The practice combines strength-building, balancing, stretching, and toning work in each of our 26 postures.  Although there is no impact involved and we move slowly and deliberately throughout class, you’ll experience your heart rate going up and down (similar to interval training).  You’ll develop not only excellent muscle tone and strength, but also improve the health of all your organs, systems, nerves, glands, and cells.

Keep in mind that yoga is an ancient system of human development, encompassing body, mind, and spirit.  The physical aspect of the practice (hatha yoga) has been in existence for at least a thousand years – long before people needed to visit a gym or health club to stay in shape!  Bikram Yoga, a style of hatha yoga, helps people achieve the first step in realizing our full human potential: a healthy mind in a healthy body.  Think of it not as a workout, but as a “work-IN.”